Arthur Lee Cofield Jr., the Atlanta man prosecutors say pulled off an $11 million heist from behind bars, was reported missing Tuesday from the minimum-security satellite camp at the Federal Correctional Institution in Jesup. The Bureau of Prisons said he was discovered absent in the afternoon and classified as a "walkaway." Federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service, have been alerted and are now searching for him.
According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Cofield was sentenced in January 2024 to about 11 years after pleading guilty to charges that included conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Prosecutors alleged he emptied $11 million from a Charles Schwab account belonging to Hollywood producer Sidney Kimmel and converted part of the haul into gold and real estate.
WJCL reports that Cofield, 34, was discovered missing from the Jesup satellite camp at roughly 4:30 p.m. and is described as about 5-foot-4 and 210 pounds. The outlet notes that prison officials opened an internal investigation and asked anyone with information to call the U.S. Marshals Service at (912) 429-7169.
How prosecutors say he pulled it off
Federal prosecutors say the case centered on a contraband cellphone seized from Cofield in 2020. Data from that device allegedly tied him to the fraud scheme, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The paper reported that Cofield and co-conspirators bought 6,106 American Eagle one-ounce gold coins from a dealer in Idaho, had them flown by chartered plane to Atlanta and used cash from the operation to help buy a $4.4 million Buckhead mansion.
Manhunt under way in southeast Georgia
WTOC reports that the U.S. Marshals Service and the FBI are leading the manhunt with local partners after the walkaway was reported. The finding triggered notifications to multiple federal agencies and an internal review at the Jesup camp. Authorities urged residents in surrounding counties to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.
Legal fallout and next steps
Cofield was ordered to repay more than $12.5 million in restitution for the thefts, according to Corrections1. He also faces separate state charges tied to an alleged shooting that previously led to his placement in high-security custody, WJCL reported. His federal sentence remains in effect while the marshals-led search continues.
Anyone who believes they may have seen Cofield or has information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the U.S. Marshals Service tip line at (912) 429-7169, according to WTOC. Authorities warned the public not to approach him if spotted and said any apprehension will be handled by law enforcement.
